HARRIS
James Harris, immigrant ancestor, was born about 1640 and married in 1666, Sarah Denison of Boston. His place of birth, parentage, and time of advent into this country are unknown.
He had eleven children, whose births are recorded in Boston. These children, with the exception of the last three, and Margaret, were baptized in the Old South Meeting House, in 1683.
About 1690 he removed with his wife, three of his sons, and at least two or more of his daughters, to New London. It is believed that he was by occupation a weaver. His will was dated June 4, 1714, and gave to his wife his whole estate to be used by her during her life, and if any remained after her death, to be equally divided among those of the children who should survive her.
His wife and son James were named as executors.
Children:
1. Sarah, March 2, 1668-69.
2. Deborah, July, 1670.
3. James, April 4, 1673.
4. Margaret, Jan. 16, 1675; died an infant.
5. Mary, Feb. 3, 1677; died at age of six.
6. Elizabeth, June, 1678.
7. Asa, Nov. 10, 1680.
8. Hannah, April 22, 1682.
9. Ephraim, May, 1684; died an infant.
10. Mary, June, 1686.
11. Ephraim, July 11, 1688; died about 1710.
(II) Asa, son of James Harris, was born Nov. 10, 1680, in Boston, and married, March 17, 1709-10, Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Rogers, and sister of Sarah, wife of his brother James. Shortly after his marriage, he removed from Mohegan to Preston, Connecticut, where all his children were born, and where he died, Aug. 20, 1715. The administration of his estate was granted to his widow, Sept. 15, 1715, and in November following, she presented inventory of his personal goods amounting to one hundred and nine pounds, six shillings, four pence.
In 1711, her father, Samuel Rogers, had given to her and her husband twelve acres of swamp land four or five miles north of New London, Conn., and in 1753, this land, which had been in the meantime held undivided, was sold by the children and grandchildren. Soon after the death of Asa Harris, his family removed to Saybrook, where his widow died about 1750.
Children:
1. Asa, born Nov. 27, 1709, mentioned below.
2. Annah, March 27, 1711.
3. Ephraim, Dec. 28, 1712.
4. Mercy, Nov. 14, 1714.
(III) Asa (2) son of Asa (1) Harris, was born Nov. 27, 1709, in Preston, and removed with the remainder of the family to Saybrook after the death of his father. He married there (first) _____. Her children were a son, and doubtless others who died young. He married (second) about 1748, Mary _____, by whom he had three children, whose births are not recorded, but who were baptized in Saybrook, in infancy.
From 1729 to 1743 his name appears as a customer on the ledger of his cousin, James Harris, a Saybrook merchant. In 1753 he deeded his interest in twelve acres of land near New London, owned in common with his brother Ephraim and the children of his deceased sisters, to Richard Chapel. He lived as late as 1767, and died in Saybrook or Lyme.
Child of first wife:
1. Asa, May 21, 1737.
Children of second wife:
2. Mary, baptized May 20, 1750.
3. Ely, baptized Januray, 1755; probably died young.
4. Alpheus, baptized March 19, 1757.
(IV) George, believed to be son of Asa (2) Harris, was of this family. He was an early settler at Canaan, Grafton county, New Hampshire, having a farm on the south road, a man of substance, highly intelligent and a leder in public affairs. He was the first settler in 1767, and returned to his former home in Colchester, Conn., to get his family the following season. He ws on the first board of selectmen elected July 9, 1768. In 1790 he had in his family four males over sixteen, and one under that age and three females, according to the census. His son, George Jr., is given among the heads of families and also John and Benjamin Harris, perhaps also sons of George. The Kimball family also settled in this town.
(V) George (2) son of George (1) Harris, lived at Canaan, New Hampshire.
(VI) Jonathan, son or nephew of George (2) Harris, was born in New Hampshire, 1796, died Sept. 12, 1864. He was a carpenter by trade.
He married Sophia Kimball.
Children:
Enoch, Simon, Benjamin F., Gilbert, resided at Essex Junction, Vermont.
All decesed.
(VII) Benjamin F., son of Jonathan Harris, was born in Brushton, New York, 1831, died there Oct. 3, 1905. He remceived a common school education, and learned the trade of carpenter. He owned and operated a sawmill in Canada, for a number of years, but located in Bushton in 1869 and established a factory for the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds. He also had a hardware store and dealth extensively in builders' supplies. He was also the leading undertaker of this section, and at the time of his death the oldest in the business in the county.
In politics he was first a Democrat, then a Prohibitionist. For many years he was supervisor of the town, and also justice of the peace. He was an attendant of the Christian church. He was a member of the North Star Lodge, No. 107, Free and Accepted Masons.
He married Martha M. Lyon, born in Brushton, 1831, now [1910] living at Brushton, daughter of Luman and Ardelia (Tarbell) Lyon.
Children:
1. Elton Eugene, born Dec. 7, 1856, mentioned below.
2. George Wallace, mentioned below.
(VIII) Elton Eugene, son of Benjamin F. Harris, was born in Brushton, Dec. 7, 1856. He attended the public schools and Franklin Academy of Malone, New York. He went into business with his father in 1882, and was associated with his father and brother in the well-known and very successful firm of B. F. Harris & Sons. Since the father's death he and his brother have continued the business under the same firm name.
He is a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters of Brushton. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He married (first) Eliza R., born July 12, 1854, died in 1896, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Hyde) Loveland. He married (second) Delia M., daughter of David D.D. and Mary M. (Lawrence) Dewey.
Children by first wife:
1. Anna E., married Dr. Athol L. Frew, of Dallas, Texas.
2. Roy E., married Sadie McNeil; one child, Elton D.; resides at Lake Placid, N.Y.
3. Martha M., resides in Brushton.
4. Roscoe S., resides in Hauppauge, Long Island; farmer.
5. Ward H., student at Dartmouth College. [1910].
6. Gilbert E., telegraph operator, employed by the Rutland Railroad Company.
(VIII) George Wallace, son of Benjamin F. Harris, was born in Brushton, May 27, 1858. He attended the public schools of his native town, and Lawrencville Academy. He worked for his father when a young man and in 1882 was admitted to partnership, with his brother, under the firm name of B. F. Harris & Sons, and the business has been continued since then. The entire manufacturing plant and store was destroyed by fire Feb. 11, 1909, but the buildings were promptly rebuilt. The firm continues also the hardware business and the undertaking business.
Mr. Harris is a member of North Star Lodge, No. 107, Free and Accepted Masons, of Brushton, N.Y.; Northern Constellation Chapter, No. 28, Royal Arch Masons, of Malone, N.Y,; Northern Constellation Council, No. 51, Royal and Select Masters, of Malone; Franklin Commandery, No. 60, Knights Templar; Karnack Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Montreal, Chalybeate Chapter, No. 243, Order of the Eastern Star, of Brushton. He is [1910] treasurer and vestryman of the Protestant Episcopal church of Brushton. In politics he is a Republican and for some years was a deputy sheriff of the county.
He married in 1879, Susan, daughter of Horace P. and Addie (Auston) Gile, of Brushton.
Children:
1. Samuel Elton George, born 1887; student of Franklin Academy.
2. Lester Arthur, 1896.